Philadelphia is the new No. 1 as New England continues its freefall

After a dramatic Los Angeles derby that saw the LA Galaxy knock LAFC off their top spot in Major League Soccer Soccer, we now have a new order at the top.

The Philadelphia Union are unbeaten in 2022. Since their opening-day draw with Minnesota United FC, they have won five consecutive matches. The Union are the new benchmark in league success at this stage of the season, with their closest competition falling short in the west and no one emerging as a genuine challenger in the Eastern Conference.

With Week 6 behind us, Austin Lindberg, Caitlin Murphy and Caitlin Murray take a look at the results and break down where all 28 teams stand following a wild weekend. They also bring you the latest Power Rankings.

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Previous ranking: 2

Next match in MLSApril 16 at Toronto FC, 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Saturday’s win over Columbus was Union’s fifth straight. They have not conceded since March 5, 2005, when they played 418 minutes. No league team has a better goal-against record. Only three teams have been more prolific at goal. Philly is now back at the top after sending Kacper Prazybylko to Chicago, and losing Brenden Aaronson & Mark McKenzie to Europe. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 1

Next match in MLSApril 17 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN

After a pair of very close (and controversial) offside decisions that resulted in two goals, the Black and Gold will be feeling aggrieved at losing their place at the top of the order. El Trafico. Expected goals are the story of LAFC’s miseries: 2.02 for Steve Cherundolo and 1.01 for the hosts. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 4

Next match in MLSApril 16 at San Jose Earthquakes at 3:30 p.m. ET

Nashville won 2-1 in Kansas City Saturday night to now have 10 points from six 2022 games. All of these were played on the road while Geodis Park is being built. Imagine what Hany Mukhtar & Co. will do once their schedule becomes home-game heavy beginning in May. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 8

Next match in MLSApril 16th, Chicago Fire, 8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Galaxy won narrowly against LAFC on Saturday. They haven’t looked convincing in any of their wins this season and the expected-goals figures suggest that they were fortunate to win. But they will take the points. The MLS original club should continue to score with Javier Hernandez leading the league in goals and Raheem Eds recording more assists than anyone else. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 9

Next match in MLSApril 16 at New York Red Bulls (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Jesus Ferreira had a brace and played the full 90 minutes of Dallas’ 3-1 win over Colorado. He had a hat trick the last time that he was on the field for FCD. The United States men’s international is heating up and Dallas looks dangerous (and thrilling) in attack. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 3

Next match in MLSApril 16th, Minnesota United, 8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Colorado almost doubled Dallas’ possession. It did double the hosts’ chances of creating goals and more than double the shots category. However, the Rapids’ lackluster cutting edge let them down. Although it is a small sample, Colorado has not scored more than one goal this season. That profligacy is becoming a concern. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 5

Next match in MLS: April 16 vs. Orlando City, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Crew has now scored three goals in four games, after scoring seven against San Jose and Vancouver in the Western Conference. Only three MLS teams are performing worse than Columbus in relation to their xG. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 7

Next match in MLSApril 17 at New York City FC at 1 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Jayden Nelson fouled Damir Creilach in the build up to the latter’s equalizer. However, it is up for debate whether Jayden Nelson fouled Damir. After three consecutive wins in Seattle, New England, and Nashville, Salt Lake has lost points to Sporting KC and Colorado, and now Toronto, following their 2-2 draw in Utah. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 6

Next match in MLS April 16 vs. FC Dallas, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Red Bulls played perhaps their best half of this season’s first half, followed by perhaps their worst after it. The second-half collapse was precipitated by a terrible goalkeeper mistake by Carlos Coronel. But, if New York had made more of its first half in control, it wouldn’t have mattered. Murray

Previous ranking: 15

Next match in MLSApril 16th, D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Austin has scored more goals than any other team in MLS this season, but Austin’s average goal per game over its last four games — including a 1-0 victory over Minnesota on Sunday night – is more indicative of what the club will look like in its second year. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 16

Next match in MLSApril 16 at Houston Dynamo 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Timbers’ win in Vancouver, 3-1, on Saturday was not the most impressive they’ll record this season. They were out-chanced 13-3. But wins on the road are extremely valuable in MLS. This was Portland’s first win of 2022. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 12

Next match in MLSApril 16 vs. Inter Miami at 10 p.m. ET

The Sounders beat New York City FC in their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal. They now have the weekend off to prepare for Wednesday’s return leg. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 13

Next match in MLS April 16 vs. LA Galaxy, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

18-year old Brian Gutierrez was given a soft second yellow for a foul torpedo. However, the Fire were unable to salvage points in Orlando. It was always going to be difficult on the road without Xherdan Shahiri and Rafael Czichos, Chicago’s two best players. Although it is the end of a long unbeaten streak, a narrow loss of 1-0 to the Fire’s 10 man defense looked solid isn’t the worst. Murray

Previous ranking: 10

Next match in MLS April 16 vs. Colorado Rapids, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Austin was Minnesota’s first loss of the season. However, five goals from six games leaves the Loons at the bottom of MLS goals scored. Chance-creation and xG statistics are below average or worse. This is a bad sign for a team that has three DPs and one U22-initiative player. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 11

Next match in MLS April 16 vs. FC Cincinnati, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Atlanta and Charlotte were separated by Brad Guzan’s inability stop Jordy Acivar’sOlimpico. This feels right for a team that has lost four of its six previous games by one goal, and has had a goal differential of zero after six games. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 18

Next match in MLSApril 16 vs. Portland Timbers at 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Houstonians probably have enough reason to be upset by this second-placed order. But, take Saturday’s thrilling 4-3 win against San Jose as an example for what the Dynamo can do. Although the Quakes play a part in this, there is no doubt that seven goals in an expected game of three indicates a defense that’s less solid and an attack that’s often not as exciting or effective. We can only hope, right? — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 19

Next match in MLSApril 16 at Columbus Crew at 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Lions could not take control of the match at their home until Brian Gutierrez’s red card gave Orlando the advantage against Chicago (10-man), just before halftime. While Orlando had the advantage of having more chances to score, Alexandre Pato and Ercan Kara were sloppy. Orlando won the game, which was a good result, but it doesn’t seem like a team that could win in less favorable conditions. Murray

Previous ranking: 21

Next match in MLS: April 16 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+

It’s a good feeling to win a 2-1 road victory in New Jersey. But, without Kei Kamara’s back-to-back goal-line clearances and the Red Bulls’ error on the second goal, it could have gone very differently. It was not convincing in Montreal. Murray

Previous ranking: 20

Next match in MLS:April 16 vs. Philadelphia Union, at 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Maybe Bob Bradley just needed some time. Toronto has now won two of its three matches after taking just one point in the first three. On Saturday night, it drew 2-2 at Real Salt Lake to take a valuable road point from a team that is known for grinding down its opponents. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 17

Next match in MLS April 17 vs. Real Salt Lake, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN+

NYCFC losing three places in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals against Seattle is unfair. However, with only four points from the first six weeks, it’s beginning feel like the MLS Cup champions have dug themselves a graveyard that will be difficult for them to climb out of. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 26

Next match in MLSApril 16 at New England Revolution at 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Charlotte has won 3 of 4 (losing the heartbreaking 96th minute to Atlanta) and culminated with Saturday’s 1-0 win against Philadelphia, in front of 32,000 supporters. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 14

Next match in MLS: April 16 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Revs lost to Inter Miami, just when it seemed that things couldn’t get worse for them. New England lost its fourth consecutive match in league play, a record Bruce Arena has set in his MLS managerial career. Simply put, the Revs have officially exhausted all excuses. Murray

Previous ranking: 23

Next match in MLS:April 16 vs. Austin FC 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

D.C. did not have a weekend game, so we sat tight in the standings. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 22

Next match in MLSApril 17 at LAFC at 4 p.m. ET, ESPN

Sporting lost to Nashville 2-1 at home. They have completed 20% of their season and are averaging 0.86 per game. If they keep this pace, it would be their lowest mark in 1999. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 28

Next match in MLSApril 16 at Seattle Sounders (10 p.m. ET

Miami managed to gain a lead this year for the first time, and it beat the Revs 3-2. Although it wasn’t the most sustainable way for Miami to win, Leonardo Campana cannot score a goal every week to make up the loss of two goals — it is an opportunity for Miami to gain momentum. Murray

Previous ranking: 25

Next match in MLS: April at CF Montreal, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Vancouver deserves more from Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Portland. The ‘Caps out-chanced guests by a better than four-to-one ratio. They out-shot them by more that three to one. They nearly doubled up the Timbers in Game xG. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 27

Next match in MLSApril 16th, Atlanta United, 6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Cincy is still there despite having to take a weekend off. — Lindberg

Previous ranking: 24

Next match in MLS April 16 vs. Nashville SC, 3:30 p.m. ET

Would Quakes fans be willing to trade their team’s excitement for a win in exchange for the team’s endless excitement? Despite San Jose’s frantic efforts to get back in Houston’s 4-3 loss, San Jose is still without a win through six. It’s the longest stretch of the club’s history without a win to start a season. — Lindberg